Dex
A 2D cyberpunk RPG with non-linear quests and skill-based progression.
Dex is a 2D side-scrolling action role-playing game from 2015, created and published by Dreadlocks Ltd. Funding came from a Kickstarter campaign, and the final version hit stores on May 7, 2015.
The gameplay emphasizes exploration and non-linear progression, typical of role-playing games. Players control the main character, Dex, taking on quests from non-player characters. Each quest offers multiple ways to complete it, leaving the choice to the player. Experience points are earned by finishing quests or defeating enemies, which then grant skill points. These points can be spent on abilities like fighting, shooting, hacking, and lock-picking.
The story takes place in Harbor Prime, a city run by corporations that answer to a secret group called the Complex. Dex, a young woman, becomes a target when the Complex sends assassins after her. She is rescued by a hacker named Raycast, who reveals that Dex is actually a "fragment of Kether"—a supreme artificial intelligence the Complex created and then shut down after losing control. Dex then joins the resistance against the Complex.
Development began with an announcement at the Game Developers Session in 2012, with an original target release of 2013. A Kickstarter campaign launched on November 12, 2012, seeking £14,000. That goal was met within a week, and the campaign ultimately raised £30,647. On November 4, 2012, the game was greenlit on Steam. An early access alpha build appeared on August 14, 2014, with limited quests and locations. A second alpha build followed three months later, adding more content. The beta, released on April 1, 2015, included nearly all final features, including the full story, and was available only through Steam's beta branch. A physical edition for PlayStation 4, handled by PQube and BadLand Games, came out on July 29, 2016.
Critical reception was mixed. Arcade Sushi praised the combination of 2D sprites, nostalgic platforming, and modern action-RPG elements, as well as the story's resemblance to Deus Ex and Shadowrun. However, it criticized the save and journal systems and noted minor bugs, though the overall verdict was positive. Czech site Zing liked the atmosphere, story, and soundtrack, and appreciated decision-based side quests, but pointed out numerous bugs and suggested the game needed more time in early access.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Dex
- Developer
- Dreadlocks Ltd
- Designer
- Jan Jirkovský
- Programmer
- Michal Červenka / Jaroslav Meloun
- Writer
- Jan Jirkovský / Morris Stuttard / Axel Droxler
- Composer
- Karel Antonín
- Engine
- Unity
- Platforms
- Linux, OS X, Windows, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
- Released
- Linux, OS X, Windows · May 7, 2015 · PlayStation Vita · December 20, 2016 · Xbox One · July 8, 2016 · PlayStation 4 · July 12, 2016 · Nintendo Switch · July 24, 2020
- Genre
- Action role-playing
- Modes
- Single-player
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Dex is a 2D side-scrolling platform game focused on exploration and non-linear gameplay, more like a role-playing game. The player controls the eponymous character, Dex, and receives quests from NPCs. Every quest has multiple possible solutions, and it is up to the player which to choose. The player receives experience points for each quest completed or enemy killed, which grant skill points that can be invested into skills including fighting, shooting, hacking, and lock-picking.
The story follows Dex, a young woman living in Harbor Prime, a city controlled by corporations integrated into a secret authority known as the Complex. Dex becomes a target of the Complex, which sends assassins after her. She is saved by a hacker named Raycast, who guides her to safety and reveals that Dex is the 'fragment of Kether'—Kether being the supreme artificial intelligence program created by the Complex, shut down when the Complex lost control of it. Dex then becomes part of the resistance against the Complex.
The game was announced at the Game Developers Session 2012 and originally scheduled for 2013. A Kickstarter campaign launched on November 12, 2012, asking for £14,000; the goal was reached in a week, and the final pledge was £30,647. On November 4, 2012, Dex was greenlit for Steam. The first alpha build was released in Early Access on August 14, 2014, with limited quests and locations. A second alpha build followed three months later, adding more content. The beta was released on April 1, 2015, including almost all final features, and the final version was released on May 7, 2015. A physical PlayStation 4 version was released on July 29, 2016.
Reader's Guide
Dex received mixed reviews upon its initial release. Critics praised the gameplay system combining expressive 2D sprites and nostalgic platforming with modern action-RPG elements, as well as the story's familiarity to Deus Ex and Shadowrun. The atmosphere, soundtrack, and side-quests offering decision-making were also highlighted. However, the save system, journal system, and a number of bugs were criticized; some reviewers felt the game should have remained in Early Access longer. Dex won the Czech Game of the Year Award for artistic contribution to Czech video game output in 2014. Website Games.cz voted Dex the best Czech video game developed in 2015, noting that after multiple bug-fixing and game-improving updates, it became 'the undisputed best title' among Czech games of 2015. The Enhanced Edition was described as 'a must play for the fans of cyberpunk RPG games.' The console version received more positive reviews than the PC version, holding a 69% rating on Metacritic. Some reviewers praised the story, gameplay, art design, and inspiration from cyberpunk sources such as Blade Runner, while others criticized the combat, hacking mechanics, and narrative. Negative reviews cited generic story, technical issues on Xbox One, and dull gameplay, though performance issues were noted as absent on PC. Overall, Dex is regarded as a solid, modest game created with evident care, despite its flaws.
Did You Know?
- Dex was crowdfunded on Kickstarter, raising £30,647 against a £14,000 goal.
- Dex was greenlit for Steam on November 4, 2012.
- The console version holds a 69% rating on Metacritic.
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